Clinton was also stymied by a protracted FBI investigation into her use of a private email server, which gave Trump and his supporters easy rhetorical ammunition right up to Election Day. Clinton has blamed, among others, James Comey’s handling of the investigation while FBI director for her defeat.

Despite that, Biden conceded in his remarks Thursday that “Hillary would have been a good president.”

The former vice president offered commentary on President Barack Obama’s two terms in office that also appeared to serve as an undercover critique of the current administration. Biden noted that Obama served eight years in office “without a single scandal … not one.” The audience erupted in applause.

Biden called Obama “absolutely, totally competent” and said he took his job “extremely seriously,” but he acknowledged the former president had made some mistakes.

Biden, who was seen as a strong potential opponent to Trump in 2016, said of a possible 2020 run: “Could I? Yes. Would I? Probably not.”